Most people aren't huge fans of pay history interview questions.

In fact, New York City, among other locations, has banned that particular query, citing income inequality.

That being said, it's still legal elsewhere. And, as it turns out, people in certain occupations are more likely to face the question during job interviews than others.

Salary website PayScale recently released a report on which workers get asked about their salary history the most.

Between April and June of this year, they surveyed 15,413 site users, asking each respondent if they were ever asked to disclose their salary at previous jobs.

"What we saw in this study is that more senior, higher-paid workers are the ones more likely to be asked about their salary history," PayScale vice president of content strategy Lydia Frank tells Business Insider. "But, they are also more likely to refuse to disclose it."

What's more, Frank adds that the study indicated that this interview question can have a more negative impact on female candidates.

"Women who were asked and declined to disclose received lower offers than similarly qualified women who provided the pay number when asked," Frank says. "However, male candidates actually received higher offers when they refused to disclose."

Overall, though, she says candidates are usually impacted negatively when they reveal a low salary number. "When it comes down to it, there are better ways for employers to either set pay for a position or to understand whether a candidate is 'too expensive,'" Frank says.

Based on PayScale's findings, here are the 12 occupations where you're most likely to get asked about your pay history:

SEE ALSO: An employment attorney breaks down the NYC law that just eliminated everyone's least-favorite interview question

DON'T MISS: 17 counterintuitive salary-negotiation tricks that actually work

12. Marketing manager

Marketing managers direct marketing teams and execute plans to meet company marketing goals.

Percentage of marketing managers who were asked about salary history: 51%

11. Employment recruiter

Employment recruiters help institutions find, vet, and hire new employees.

Percentage of employment recruiters who were asked about salary history: 52%

9 (tie). Receptionist

Receptionists offer administrative support and typically greet office visitors.

Percentage of receptionists who were asked about salary history: 53%

Eating the best possible food is a major motivation for many travelers. 

In a recent survey of more than 3,400 diners, online restaurant reservation site OpenTable found that 66% of Americans would choose a particular destination because of the food offerings there. 

In light of this, OpenTable's global teams put together a list of 25 dishes you must try in major travel destinations around the world. 

From central London to the Costa Rican jungle, these are the dishes that are well worth the flight:

SEE ALSO: Twitter has unlimited free food for its New York employees — and it looks incredible

BANGKOK: coconut and turmeric curry of blue swimmer crab at Nahm

27 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok

This gourmet Thai restaurant in the Como hotel was ranked 22nd on the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. A trip to this restaurant is well worth it for this unforgettably creamy dish. 

CHICAGO: spinach margherita deep dish pizza at Gino's East

500 North LaSalle Street, Chicago

The ingredients may be simple, but this spinach margherita pizza is full of flavor. It's dripping in cheese and tomato sauce, but if you want to add more toppings, you can. 

DUBLIN: whole split lobster at Lobstar

101 Monkstown Road, Co. Dublin

This steak and lobster restaurant is on the coast in the outskirts of Dublin and is known for its exceptional lobster. With only 30 seats, it's wise to book in advance. The split lobster costs around $40 and is served with garlic, ginger, and Béarnaise sauce. It comes with a potato and a fennel and mango salad. 

Big cities may have glitz and glam, but savvy travelers know that America's small towns are the real prize. These often overlooked enclaves offer a variety of cultural, outdoor, and culinary delights, and usually offer accommodations at more affordable prices than urban centers.

In June, US News & World Report published its annual list of the best small towns to visit in America. The publication looked at places with a population of fewer than 100,000 people and based the ranking on atmosphere, restaurants, attractions, and affordability.

These are the 15 small towns and cities worthy of a vacation.

SEE ALSO: Tour the little-known California 'micro-hood' that's suddenly the hottest housing market in America

15. St. Augustine, Florida

14. Vail, Colorado

13. Santa Fe, New Mexico

The NBA has taken no time off since the conclusion of the Finals.

Since the Warriors won the championship, we have had a blockbuster trade for the No. 1 pick in the draft, a blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler, the actual draft, a blockbuster trade for Chris Paul, plus several notable firings in big front offices.

And now, free agency is here.

Thus far, there have been some big signings, including Gordon Hayward leaving the Jazz for the Celtics, Paul Millsap joining the Nuggets, and Jeff Teague joining the Wolves. Meanwhile, players like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and Kyle Lowry all stayed with their teams.

Still, some big names are yet to sign. Take a look at the best free agents this offseason and where they could land (based on reports, rumors, and fit).

* notes a restricted free agent, meaning their team can match any contract offer.

Kevin Durant, F

2016-17 team: Warriors

Newest deal: Re-signed with the Warriors on a two-year, $53 million deal, a surprising discount.

Stephen Curry, PG

2016-17 team: Warriors

Newest deal: Curry re-signed with the Warriors on a five-year, $201 million deal, the richest in NBA history. LeBron James says it's still not enough.

Gordon Hayward, SF

2016-17 team: Jazz

Newest deal: Signed with the Celtics on a four-year, $128 million deal, one of the biggest moves in free agency.

Adidas commissioned 12 women artists to create a special, one-of-a-kind Ultraboost X sneaker for each US state.

The artists used a variety of mediums to recreate iconic, state-appropriate imagery on the shoes. Wisconsin's cheese, Georgia's peaches, and Vermont's green mountains are all accounted for in a unique way.

The sneakers are being sold in an online auction, and all of the proceeds will go to Women Win, a charity devoted to advancing women's leadership. 

Take a look at how the artists represented each of the 50 US states. All shoe descriptions are by the artists. 

SEE ALSO: Adidas has a secret weapon to beat Nike — and it's just about ready to deploy it

Alabama

Artist: Meagan Morrison 

"I took inspiration from the Alabama state flower, which is a beautiful pink camellia."

Alaska

Artist: Mari Orr 

"My shoe for Alaska was inspired by snow-covered glacial mountains rising from icy depths."

Arizona

Artist: Sophia Chang

"For Arizona I wanted to capture the desert sunset gradient and the colorful cacti that fill it."

This past spring, a new batch of students graduated business school, eager to put their MBAs to use.

And despite having spent countless hours spent studying the intricacies of finance, accounting, marketing, and operations, many of these graduates will tell you that the most important thing they learned at business school wasn't from a textbook or lecture.

Alex Dea, a senior consultant at Deloitte Digital and 2015 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School, discovered this when he recently interviewed nine new grads from some of the top b-schools in the United States for his blog MBA Schooled, which he started two years ago.

We went through Dea's interviews with these graduates, in which they reflect about their past two years, and highlighted what they consider to be the lesson that will stick with them longest. The common thread is that while you don't need to go to business school to learn about economics and statistics, the school experience itself is what's most valuable.

SEE ALSO: How to get into a top business school, from a student who was admitted to Darden without a traditional finance background

Jeff Ellington (Wharton '17) learned the value of trust in business.

Ellington was part of Dorm Room Fund, New York venture capital firm First Round Capital's college branch as a student at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was impressed with the way the First Round partners treated the Dorm Room Fund team with "tremendous trust and respect" despite their relative experience.

"This trust earned our respect and inspired the team to work quite diligently," Ellington said. He found that this relationship building was especially effective in such an ambitious experiment — having college students spend the firm's money on other college students. Over five years, Dorm Room Fund grew to more than 10 schools, 130 investments, and 400 partners and entrepreneurs.

"Treating people with respect and taking the initiative to experiment can have incredible compounding effects."

Read Ellington's full interview »

Katie Ellington (Wharton '17) learned that knowing oneself leads to better decision-making.

"I think I've emerged from business school a bigger feminist than I was before (which is saying something, because I already was a feminist!)" Ellington said.

Highlights of her time at Wharton include lectures from professor and bestselling author Adam Grant, "Feminist Fight Club" author Jessica Bennett, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg that explored "how much further we still need to go as a society" when it comes to women in corporate leadership positions.

As she developed this passion, she also deepened her knowledge of heuristics and biases like "confirmation bias, anchoring, overconfidence, and similarity attraction." She explained that working toward her goal of establishing "a more equitable workplace and country," she learned how to better understand how the mind creates potentially problematic shortcuts.

"I hope that greater awareness about how these biases affect me will lead to better decision-making throughout the rest of my life and career," she said.

Read Ellington's full interview »

Charlie Mangiardi (Stern '17) learned to stop doubting himself.

With an undergraduate degree in history and a background in the nonprofit sector, Mangiardi found himself overwhelmed at New York University's Stern School of Business when he compared his credentials to more typical b-school students.

But as he built relationships with classmates and pushed himself academically (he made the Dean's list), he realized that effective teams comprise members with different experiences and skill sets that complement each other.

"Ultimately what I've learned is to stop questioning whether I belong somewhere once I've made it there, and instead focus on pushing myself to be better," he said.

Read Mangiardi's full interview »

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, smart speakers can answer any question, control your smart home, play games, and so much more. The best smart speaker hands down is the Amazon Echo with its 15,000+ skills, ability to buy items on Amazon, support for dozens of smart home devices, and stellar audio quality.

Amazon's Echo was the very first smart speaker on the scene with artificial intelligence, and it still dominates the field. Since its launch, Amazon has grown the Echo lineup to include the original Echo, the cheaper Echo Dot, the touchscreen-enabled Echo Show, and the upcoming fashion-forward Echo Look.

However, Amazon is no longer alone in the smart speaker space. Google entered the fray last year with the Google Home smart speaker, and its smart Assistant now rivals Alexa for power. Apple is also about to get into the AI smart speaker space with its HomePod and you can bet your life that Samsung is looking into making its own smart speaker sooner or later with its Bixby voice assistant.

So which one is best for you and do you even need a smart speaker with artificial intelligence? We've tested the main smart speakers and done a lot of research on each of the main players in this space to bring you the answer to both of those questions. Before we get into the battle royale between Amazon's Echo lineup and the Google Home, let's go over the basics of what's going on in the smart speaker space and why you might want one in your home.

What can a smart speaker with artificial intelligence do?

Smart speakers can do a number of different things, including answer questions, control smart home devices, set alarms, play music, and more. Each speaker has different strengths and weaknesses, but companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple are working hard to fill the gaps and make these speakers even smarter. 

Perhaps the best thing about having a smart speaker is that it frees up your hands and gets you away from your smartphone. You can ask Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri what the temperature is before you run out the door or ask if you need an umbrella. The voice assistants can also read you recipe instructions or set timers when your hands are occupied in the kitchen. They can play you soothing music after a long day or set the mood during a date. If you have smart home devices, you can control them with your voice instead of having to get out of bed or off the couch to turn your lights on and off. 

Smart speakers are also fun for parties and kids, because they can answer trivia questions and even play games. If you have an inquisitive child at home or you like to win arguments, you can just ask your voice assistant a question and get the answer immediately without typing a word or opening an app. Once you've used one, you won't want to be without it.

What services and smart home devices work with the Amazon Echo and Google Home?

Feature sets vary based on the speaker and you should take into account which compatible devices and services you already own or subscribe to before you pick one or the other. Amazon's Alexa has many more skills, compatible products, and compatible apps and services than the Google Home. It's undoubtedly more fully featured, and Google Home is playing catch up. Here's a breakdown of which services and products work with the Amazon Echo and Google Home:

Amazon Echo, Amazon Echo Dot, and Amazon Echo Show

• Smart home devices: Phillips Hue, Ring, Schlage Smart Locks, TP-Link Smart Home Products, Leviton, Insteaon, SmartThings, Wink, Caseta Wireless, LI-FX Smart Bulbs, GE Link Smart Bulbs, WeMo, iHome Smart Plugs, iDevices Switches, Nest, Sensi Thermostat, EcoBee Thermostat, Lyric Thermostat, August Smart Lock, Arlo Pro, Nest Cam IQ, Rachio Sprinklers, Gargeio Garage Door, iRobot Roomba Smart Vacuums, and so many more. You can browse all of the Echo compatible products on Amazon and buy them by clicking this link. 
• Services: Amazon's Alexa supports more than 15,000 skills, and it supports far too many services to list here. Big ones include Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Sirius XM, Uber, Domino's, StubHub, Audible, Dish, NPR, and so many more. You can also buy things from Amazon with a simple voice command.

Google Home

• Smart home devices: Chromecast, Chromecast-enabled TVs and speakers, Nest, SmartThings, Phillips Hue, LIFX Smart Lights, TP-Link Smart Home, Vivint Home Security, Rachio Sprinklers, Logitech Harmony, Geeni Connected Tech, August Smart Locks, Anova Precision Cooker, Insignia Wi-Fi Smart Plug, Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug, iRobot Roomba 960, Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat, Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker, Lutron, Ring, and many more. See the full list here.
• Services: Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music, TuneIn Radio, YouTube, IFTTT, Netflix, Google Services, Domino's, Food Network, Headspace, MadLibs, and more. See the full list here.

Apple HomePod

Apple's HomePod isn't available yet, so we don't know how many services and devices it will support at launch, but it's safe to say that Apple apps, Apple Music, and HomeKit smart home products will work with the speaker. We'll keep you updated.

Should I be worried about privacy, hackers, and companies selling my data?

There is a trade-off when you buy a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo or Google Home. Both devices are listening all the time for the wake words — "Hey Alexa," or "Okay Google/Hey Google"— that trigger actions.  You can mute the speakers, so they're not listening, but that defeats the purpose of being able to wake the AI assistants up whenever you need them. 

The companies say that nothing is being monitored or recorded until the wake words are spoken, but once they are, Amazon and Google tend to hold on to that voice data to improve the services for you. Luckily, it is all encrypted, so it should be fairly safe. You can delete that voice data from your Echo every now and then, and you should. Just go to Manage my device and delete recordings one by one or clear your search history. With Google Home, you can alter your permissions to limit the data it collects here.

Of course, neither situation is ideal, as Naked Security by Sophos points out. Gizmodo's Fieldguide has more tips on how to tighten your security and privacy a bit on both devices. The worry here is twofold: either hackers will use that data against you or Amazon and Google will mine it for advertising dollars. Unfortunately, it's the risk you take right now.

In contrast, Apple's upcoming HomePod advertises that its system is more secure and private than any other smart speaker. The promo page says that HomePod has, "multiple layers of security — including anonymous ID and encryption" to "protect your privacy." 

Both Google Home and Amazon Echo encrypt your voice data, too, but there are two big differences. One, Amazon and Google associate your data directly with you and your account to learn how to serve you better. Meanwhile, Apple does not associate your data with you or your account, but rather with a randomized set of numbers. Secondly, Apple deletes the association between the data and the random code every six months, whereas Amazon and Google just hold on to it forever unless you bother to delete it yourself, Wired explains.

This becomes important when government requests for data come in. Amazon and Google can find that data and trace it back to you directly, but Apple literally can't because the numbers are randomized and the data is regularly deleted. Apple has the upper hand here, so if data security and privacy matter to you, you'll want to wait and buy a HomePod.

Should you buy a smart speaker?

Smart speakers are helpful, fun to use, and a sure sign of things to come in the future of artificial intelligence and the smart home. If you like to be ahead of the curve, you enjoy having a good speaker at home, you own lots of smart home devices already, and you don't mind some of the trade-offs; you'll love these smart speakers.

Apple fans should hold off until the verdict is in on the HomePod, but Amazon Prime subscribers would do well to pick up an Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show. Finally, Google fans who aren't into Prime should spring for a Google Home because it's bound to pick up as many tricks as Amazon's Alexa before too long. Read on to learn all about these different smart speakers and to figure out which one is best for you.

If you're looking for more great tech, you should check out our guides to the best e-readers, the best computer mice, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, the best smartwatches, the best Bluetooth keyboards, the best home projectors, the best home security cameras, the best Android tablet, the best battery packs, the best Micro USB cables, the best lightning cables, the best USB-C cables, and more on Insider Picks.

Although the Amazon Echo is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Google Home, the Amazon Echo Dot, and the Amazon Echo Show. We also look forward to testing the Apple HomePod in December, so we've included a preview of what it does in our guide.

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Echo is one of the most useful tech gadgets on the market — here’s how I use mine

The best smart speaker overall

Why you'll love it: The Amazon Echo is the uncontested best smart home speaker with its 15,000+ skills, smart home support, and strong audio.

If you want a smart speaker that does it all, the Amazon Echo is the best one you can buy. Amazon got a head start on the competition, and it shows. Alexa has more than 15,000 skills, supports dozens of smart home products, and works with too many apps to count. You can even order things on Amazon with your voice.

This slim, modern cylinder plays audio that matches great Bluetooth speakers for quality, and it'll fit in with any room's decor. When you awaken Alexa, a subtle blue light flicks around the round top of the speaker as it listens in.

You can play music from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more, and the sound quality is very good. If you subscribe to Audible's audiobook service, the Echo will also play the narration for you while you cook, relax, or work around the house.

Alexa can read you recipes, play audio news shows, tell you the score, look up local businesses, check the weather, and complete just about any other basic task that springs to mind. She'll even order you an Uber to the airport and read out your text messages.

If you have smart home devices already, chances are the Echo works with them. Major ones like the Phillips Hue and other great smart bulbs, as well as Nest and other smart thermostats, work with the Echo. Smart switches, garage doors, sprinklers, locks, and security cameras also play nice with Alexa. The Echo supports more smart home devices than any other smart speaker currently. You can browse compatible smart home devices here.

The only downsides are a lack of privacy, the general fear that Amazon is slowly but surely taking over the world, and the fact that Alexa's search chops aren't as good as Google's.

If you're a Prime member, this is the smart speaker for you, and if you don't have Prime yet, sign up, because all the perks like two-day shipping, free music streaming, free ebooks, and free video streaming on Prime Video are well worth the annual fee.

Pros: Strong speaker, you can buy things on Amazon, best smart home support, cool design, good voice recognition, huge support network, 15,000+ skills and counting

Cons: Some limits with search

Buy the Amazon Echo on Amazon for $179.99

Buy Echo compatible products on Amazon (price varies based on the product)

Sign up for Amazon Prime now for $99 a year

Read more about Echo skills on Insider Picks

The best smart home speaker for Android fans

Why you'll love it: The Google Home is great for anyone who's all-in with Google and doesn't have Amazon Prime in their lives.

Google has the search smarts to rule the artificial intelligence space, but its just getting started with the Google Home smart speaker and its artificially intelligent Assistant.

It's a great little smart speaker that's customizable and cute enough to fit in with any room's decor. You can choose from a variety of cloth and metallic bases in fun colors. The top portion is white and angled gently so the touch-sensitive surface is positioned perfectly for your hands. Although some people say it looks like the air freshener in your bathroom (it does, to be perfectly honest), we think the Home looks more subtle than Amazon's futuristic-looking Echo lineup.

When you say, "Hey Google," or "Okay Google," little lights dance along the top touch surface in Google's signature colors: red, blue, green, and yellow. You can ask Home to play music from Google Play, Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, and TuneIn. The sound quality is decent and even at top volume, it sounds as good as most Bluetooth speakers you can buy for the same price.

Google Home has lots of smart features, including the ability to read you a daily briefing, give you a recap of the day's news from NPR and BBC World News, and answer your questions on just about any topic. Since Home uses Google's search graph to answer you, the entire knowledge of the internet is open to you. Ask about weather, traffic, stocks, or trivia, and Google will know the answer.

Google also has lots of experience with different accents, so Home is likely to understand you easily even if you have a strong Colombian accent like my boyfriend. One of my favorite features is playing trivia games with Google. The Assistant will play cheesy game show music and act as the goofy host, giving you a weird nickname when you say, "Okay Google, play a game." She also tells really bad dad jokes that'll have you groaning and guffawing. 

Home works with a variety of smart home devices, too, so you can use it to turn off your Phillips Hue light bulbs, control your Nest thermostat, or stream media to your Chromecast. If you have any of these devices in your smart home, Google Home is a great compliment to those products. I've been using Google Home since it came out, and I love it.

There are still funny limitations, and Google Assistant may tell you she "doesn't know how to help with that yet," but "yet" is the operative word here. Google will only continue to improve Home, so it's a truly fabulous option for a smart speaker — especially at its price of $129.00 on Jet.

Expert reviewers across the web agree that Google Home is a great smart speaker, including CNET, Pocket Lint, The Guardian, and The Wirecutter.

Pros: Customizable base, best at search, good voice recognition, good sound, blends into decor, works with some smart home devices, plays games, affordable, works best with Google services

Cons: Ecosystem isn't as fleshed out as it could be, limitations with cross-platform support, not as much smart home support as Alexa

Buy the Google Home on Jet for $129.00 (originally $134.99)

The best affordable smart speaker

Why you'll love it: The Amazon Echo Dot is the most affordable smart speaker you can buy, and it's just as smart as the original Echo.

If you don't want to pay more than $100 for a smart speaker, you're in luck, because Amazon's Echo Dot is wildly affordable. For $50, you get all the smarts of the original Echo in a smaller package that can sync up with bigger speakers and other Echo Dots to make your home smarter.

Just like on the Echo, you can use the Dot to ask Alexa to play music, trigger smart home devices, make calls, read and dictate messages answer questions, play news casts, set alarms, read audiobooks from Audible, and more.

Since it's a smaller speaker, the Dot doesn't have the same level of sound quality you'd get from a bigger speaker like the Echo or Google Home. However, it can sync up with multiple Dots or you can connect other speakers you have via Bluetooth or the 3.5 mm stereo cable. The Echo Dot supports streaming from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn.

If you have smart home devices, you can use the Echo Dot to control lights, fans, switches, thermostats, locks, garage doors, and more. You can browse compatible smart home devices here. 

The Dot may be small, but it still has Alexa inside, so all those 15,000+ skills are just a voice command away. This is the best smart speaker you can buy on a budget. you can also use it to supplement the original Echo or other Dots in a large home.

Pros: Affordable, small, 15,000+ skills, tons of smart home devices supported, lots of app support, connects to other speakers, works with other Echo Dots

Cons: Not as strong a speaker

Buy the Amazon Echo Dot on Amazon for $49.99

Buy Echo compatible products on Amazon (price varies based on the product)

Sign up for Amazon Prime now for $99 a year

We're all human. That means we occasionally make mistakes at work.

Most of the time, we're able to bounce back and move on from these silly gaffes.

But as it turns out, there are some easy ways to ruin your career for good.

For instance, there's a handful of words, phrases, and questions you may be using at work that can seriously damage your reputation forever.

Some of these are fine in certain contexts. However, if you're already a bit of a problem employee, repeating them over and over again can be toxic for your career development.

Here are 24 phrases (aside from the obvious, like cursing out your boss) that you should probably avoid in the workplace:

SEE ALSO: 15 signs you're in the wrong job

DON'T MISS: 23 signs you're about to be fired

'That's not part of my job'

No boss ever wants to hear those words.

Remember, your job description is never set in stone. "As cross-functional teams remain the order of the day, you're expected to be flexible and make your boss' life easier," Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," tells Business Insider. "As a side note, the more skill sets you accumulate, the more indispensable you are."

Saying that you're not willing to go beyond your role shows that you are also not willing to pitch in for the success of the company, Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, and author of "Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad," tells Business Insider.

'It's not my fault'

If you make a mistake, own it. Don't conjure up lame excuses. Consistently shirking responsibility for your mistakes and failures will catch up with you. It's a terrible career habit to get into. Bosses want accountability and competence, not excuses.

'I'll do it later'

Putting off projects until the last minute not only puts stress on you, but it hinders the progress of every other person relying on your portion of the work.

If something goes wrong, you'll likely be the first one blamed.

Everything old is new again, and unlimited data plans are back in vogue.

After months of tweaks and updates, the unlimited plans from all four of the major mobile carriers in the US seem to be in a relatively stable place.

But, per usual, all of those plans still come with a significant slate of caveats.

So to help you sort through the fine print, here's a quick rundown of how this revived set of unlimited plans match up.

SEE ALSO: There are 5 major services that let you stream live TV over the internet — here's how they compare

The big caveat: No "unlimited" plan is really unlimited.

Wireless carriers use the word "unlimited"in a misleading way.

No "unlimited" plan here allows you to use an endless amount of LTE data across the board with no penalties. Instead, each carrier warns that it may slow your speeds if you use a certain amount of data in a month and live in an area of congestion.

Each plan also limits what you can do with that data when it comes to things like mobile hotspots, international usage, and the like.

And the situation only gets worse when you look at the restrictions imposed on unlimited plans from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) like Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless, or on the prepaid "unlimited" plans from the major carriers themselves.

Also, none of the carriers' advertised rates includes device subsidies. If you buy a phone from a carrier and pay for it in monthly installments, that fee will be added to the cost of your plans.

Still, the "unlimited" plans have value. At least with the major carrier plans, you do truly get unlimited talk and text, and the amount of data you can use without risk is fairly generous. And being slowed in areas of congestion is not the same as being outright throttled; even after passing a carrier's warning point, you can still get LTE speeds.

The other caveat: Not all networks are created equal.

A good "unlimited" plan isn't as worthwhile if it comes with shoddy internet. Sadly, a big chunk of the country still suffers from mediocre mobile coverage.

It's hard to give exact metrics on how the carriers' current networks compare, but a recent PCMag report found Verizon to have to best mix of speed, coverage and reliability, with T-Mobile and AT&T close behind. A recent RootMetrics study, meanwhile, found a bigger gap between AT&T and T-Mobile, but also said Verizon is tops in terms of overall quality. 

In general, Verizon is consistently near the top, T-Mobile is said to be vastly improved from years past, AT&T is either in second or third, and Sprint typically brings up the rear. Much of the time, though, which is best for you depends on where you live.

If you opt for a prepaid carrier, you usually have to deal with slower speeds. Cricket Wireless has an unlimited plan for $65 a month, for example, but its parent, AT&T, caps Cricket download speeds at a lower-than-average 8 Mbps.

Sprint, meanwhile, caps all video on Virgin Mobile's and Boost Mobile's unlimited plans at a less-than-HD resolution. Virgin did recently introduce an enticing deal that offers a year's worth of data for $1, but you need to buy a new iPhone outright to be eligible for it.

And the prepaid "unlimited" plans from carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile block things like HD video streaming and the ability to use your phone as a mobile hotspot. As a result, we've omitted all of these prepaid plans from this comparison.

Verizon

How much does it cost?

$80 a month for one line. $140 a month for two lines. $160 a month for three lines. $180 a month for four lines. The cost per line then gradually decreases until you hit $300 a month for 10 lines.

For plans with multiple lines, you can share that data across smartphones and tablets.

None of this includes taxes and regulatory fees. Those vary by region, so your bill will be a bit higher than what's advertised.

You also need to set your service to automatically pay your bill each month. Otherwise, a single line costs $5 more a month, and users with up to 10 lines will pay $10 more a month.

How much LTE data do you actually get?

Verizon says your line may be temporarily slowed in areas of congestion if you use more than 22 GB of LTE data in a month.

Can you stream HD video?

Yes. And Verizon says it doesn't "manipulate the data" it sends over video in any way.

How about LTE mobile-hotspot data?

Yes. You get 10 GB of LTE mobile-hotspot data per line each month. Verizon says mobile-hotspot speeds will be reduced to slower 3G speeds once you exceed that amount.

Any other details worth knowing?

Verizon still offers less-expensive, non-unlimited plans on its website. Those range from $35 a month for 2 GB of LTE data to $70 a month for 8 GB of LTE data.

Verizon also offers unlimited calling and texting from the US to Mexico and Canada. It also allows data usage in those countries, but caps you at slow 2G speeds if you use more than 500 MB of data in a given day, which isn't a lot. 

Salaries continue to soar in Major League Baseball as 36 players will make at least $20 million in total earnings this season, up from 21 players just three years ago.

However, unlike the other major sports in North America, when it comes to paying players, there are some stark contrasts in team payrolls and how much some teams pay their top players. 

Below we take a look at the highest-paid player on every team and how those differ across MLB.

Salaries and contract information via Spotrac.com and BaseballProspectus.com.

Oakland A's: Ryan Madson — $7.5 million

Team: Oakland A's

Position: Relief pitcher

2016 WAR: 0.3 Wins

Contract: 3 years, $22.0 million (through 2018)

One thing to know: Only three teams have smaller payrolls than the A's, who were at $70.6 million on opening day.

Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria — $13.0 million

Team: Tampa Bay Rays

Position: Third base

2016 WAR: 4.5 Wins

Contract:  years, $ million (through)

One thing to know: Nobody else on the Rays makes more than $5.3 million.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen — $14.0 million

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Position: Outfielder

2016 WAR: 0.7 Wins

Contract: 6 years, $51.5 million (through 2017 with a 2018 team option for $14.5 million)

One thing to know: McCutchen has rebounded offensively this season, but has become a liability in recent years defensively. There is a good chance he will be moved this year prior to the trade the deadline.

The world's richest people are an impressive bunch. They think, act, and work differently than the rest of us.

Wealth-X, a market research firm, defines the world's richest as those with $30 million or more in assets, also known as ultra-high net worth (UHNW). Its latest report gives us a peek into the makeup of this exclusive group.

In total, Wealth-X tracked 226,450 UHNW individuals with a combined wealth of $27 trillion.

Keep reading for seven facts you probably didn't know about the world's wealthiest people. 

SEE ALSO: The 20 most common hobbies of the richest people in the world

DON'T MISS: 32 cities around the world where the most rich people live

The global UHNW population has $9.6 trillion in cash.

Ultra wealthy women are younger, on average.

According to Wealth-X, the average age of the world's UHNW woman is 50, about 12 years younger than the global ultra wealthy population average.

Their average net worth is $110 million, and they command just 12% of global UHNW wealth. Just over half of women received all or some of their fortune from inheritance, compared to one-third of men.

Millennials account for 3.2% of the global UHNW population — and two-thirds are self-made.

Millennials — defined by Wealth-X as people born between 1980 and 1994 — make up 3.2% of the global UHNW population, which is about 7,200 individuals. Two-thirds of this group are self-made, including Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The Harvard dropout became the youngest self-made billionaire in history at just 23 years old. Today he's worth an estimated $64.7 billion.

According to Wealth-X, UHNW millennials control a total of $334 billion; meaning Zuckerberg is responsible for nearly one-fifth of that wealth.

Google's original Pixel smartphone is so good that it could be easy to forget to check the latest rumors surrounding its successor, which we'll call the Pixel 2 for now.

While the rumor mill doesn't focus as much on Google's Pixel phones as it does on devices like the next iPhone or Galaxy phone, there still are a few rumored details worth sharing.

Overall, it looks like we can expect some decent improvements over the original Pixel, including in its camera and design. We're also expecting Google to fill some gaps in features, like water resistance, in the Pixel 2.

Check out everything we know about Google's new Pixel 2 smartphones:

SEE ALSO: A company that makes $70,000 cameras for filming blockbuster movies is making a $1,200 smartphone

There will be two new Pixel models.

At first, it was rumored that Google had two new Pixel models with the code names "Muskie" and "Walleye." Most recently, however, it appears that Google has canceled Muskie, which was supposed to be the larger of the two devices. Muskie has been replaced with an even larger model with the code name "Taimen," according to Android Police.

The larger model will have a huge screen.

According to XDA, a mobile-developer website, the larger Pixel model will have a 5.99-inch display with a 1440p (2K) resolution.

The larger model will be made by LG.

The site 9to5Google found a bug report that suggests that LG will manufacture Google's larger Pixel 2 model.

This week, Toro y Moi released an introspective new album, and rapper Joey Badass dropped a handful of Statik Selektah-produced singles.

Here are the best songs from the past week that you can stream right now:

SEE ALSO: The best new songs from last week: Jay-Z, Calvin Harris, and Tyler the Creator

Toro y Moi — "Mona Lisa"

"Mona Lisa" is a standout track from indie singer-producer Chaz Bundick's meditative new album, "Boo Boo." Bundick has said the album was inspired by acts like Travis Scott, Daft Punk, and Frank Ocean, and Scott's production is a clear influence on the panoramic synths of "Mona Lisa."  

Cut Copy — "Airborne"

Australian indie electronic trio Cut Copy return with "Airborne," a soaring and inviting guitar-led single. It's the band's first new music since their 2013 album "Free Your Mind."

HAIM — "Kept Me Crying"

The lone highlight from a tedious new album by Los Angeles rock band HAIM, "Kept Me Crying" finds the three Haim sisters producing an inventive and off-kilter take on '70s pop music.

In July 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — the leader of ISIS who may have been killed in a Russian airstrike last month — declared a caliphate in the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul, just weeks after ISIS fighters seized the city.

But now, ISIS only holds about 3% — no more than the length of a few football fields — of Iraq's second-largest city.

Nevertheless, the few hundred remaining ISIS fighters in Mosul have not stopped their brutal tactics in the face of defeat.

They're reportedly detonating bombs among civilians attempting to flee and using children as human shields, among other cruel tactics.

But Iraqi forces believe final victory is imminent, as their grueling eight-month assault on the city appears to be nearing its end.

This is what ISIS' last days in Mosul look like:

SEE ALSO: The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff explains the US's 'annihilation campaign' against ISIS

Smoke billows out from Mosul's Old City, the only area ISIS still holds, after several airstrikes.

Iraqi special-forces soldiers congregating after calling in an airstrike.

Iraqi forces have had to clear out ISIS fighters house by house, which two soldiers are about to do below.

Sequels, prequels, spinoffs, and reboots all seem inevitable after the release of a profitable superhero film.

It's safe to assume that most superhero films make an insane amount of money at the box office, considering the high volume of superhero films that are churned out each year, but which superhero franchises are the most profitable? 

To answer this question, we compiled a list of the 10 highest-grossing superhero franchises in the United States, and included how each movie, sequel, spinoff, and reboot stacks up to the competition.

These are the 10 highest-grossing superhero franchises of all time.

Note: All numbers are based off of domestic gross income via Box Office Mojo, and have been adjusted for inflation. Some prices may have been adjusted to account for re-releases of the films. 

10. "Thor" - $417,317,200 total grossed

"Thor," while the smallest of the superhero franchises, is still among one of the highest-grossing superhero properties. "Thor: Ragnarok," the third addition to the "Thor" series, is set to be released November 3, 2017.

How the films stack up:

1. "Thor: The Dark World" (2013) total grossed:$218,709,200

2. "Thor" (2011) total grossed: $198,608,000

9. "The Fantastic Four" - $442,956,700 total grossed

The most recent reboot of the "Fantastic Four" didn't stack up to the original, but that hasn't stopped the "Fantastic Four" from continuing to be one of the highest-grossing superhero series of all time. 

How the films stack up:

1. "Fantastic Four" (2005) total grossed:  $213,340,600

2. "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" (2007) total grossed: $169,504,100

3. "Fantastic Four" (2015) total grossed: $60,112,000

8. "Guardians of the Galaxy" - $748,524,200 total grossed

With its stellar soundtracks and crew comradery, "Guardians of the Galaxy" has quickly become one of the most popular superhero films over the past 3 years, and with only two films under its belt, the franchise has already grossed $748,524,200. With such a successful run so far, it's probably safe to expect a "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" sometime in the future.

How the films stack up:

1. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" (2017) total grossed: $384, 262, 100

2. "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) total grossed: $364,262, 100

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Different occasions call for different shoes, and every guy should have a decent selection of footwear to choose from. While it's not necessary to have a new shoe for every day of the week, a carefully picked collection will allow you to go anywhere in fitting fashion.

Now, Clarks is helping men add variety to their footwear options with an amazing two for $99 deal.

Clarks is already known for its timeless designs and unbeatable comfort — two of the biggest factors that go into buying new shoes.With many of the sale options originally retailing for more than $100, the added savings make this an offer you simply cannot pass up.

With more than 100 styles available, now is the time to add two new styles to your shoe selection. Whether you're looking for boat shoes for this summer, a casual pair of loafers, or new dress shoes for the office, you'll be able to find it in this sale. 

Take advantage of this amazing two for $99 shoe sale at Clarks now. Act fast, as select sizes are selling out.

Check out some of the sale's best options below:

SEE ALSO: I made my shoes look brand new again with this natural cleaning solution

The Fulmen Row in Dark Brown Leather.

Originally priced at $135, now on sale.

The Twinley Free in Tan Weaved Leather.

Originally priced at $170, now on sale.

The Siddal Sport in Dark Blue Leather.

Originally priced at $120, now on sale.

We’re currently living in another golden age of television — there’s so much good TV right now that you could remove yourself from society, hole up in a bunker (à la Andy Samberg in his opening bit to the 2015 Emmys), keep yourself glued to the small screen for months on end and you still might not get completely caught up.

So it’s no shocker that the first half of 2017 has welcomed some compelling new series, emotionally wrenching finales and more than a few Emmy-worthy performances. In short, it’s been a great year for TV lovers — and we haven’t even seen the newest season of Game of Thrones yet.

Now that we’re at 2017’s halfway point, we figured it’s a fitting time to take stock of all the TV that’s aired. So we’ve rounded up and ranked the 13 best episodes of 2017 so far.

13. "Legion,""Chapter 6" (Season 1, Episode 6)

This episode of creator Noah Hawley’s psychedelic, X-Men-adjacent series technically goes nowhere; the main characters are literally frozen in time. But it’s in the midst of this narrative stasis that Aubrey Plaza puts in her finest work as the show’s villain, Lenny, aka the Devil With Yellow Eyes, aka the Shadow King, aka the psychic parasite that’s been haunting protagonist David Haller since his childhood.

In a performance that feels like it’s actually a dozen different roles, Plaza is at her most terrifying while tormenting the other characters in a faux reality, posing as a therapist. She revels in their sorrow and confusion, and in a scene sure to garner Emmy consideration, gyrates around David’s body as she reveals her true, parasitic self. It’s terrific, terrifying stuff. (The hour gets bonus points for a set piece, in which Plaza dances to a remix of Nina Simone’s classic “Feeling Good.”)

12. "The Young Pope,""Episode 9" (Season 1, Episode 9)

While I enjoy trolling HBO’s "The Young Pope" and luxuriating myself in the show’s memes, I will admit it produced some powerful episodes of television in the second half of the season.

None were better than the penultimate episode, which sees the culmination of Monsignor Gutierrez’s investigation into a child abuse scandal in New York and the death of Pope Pius XIII’s mentor, Cardinal Spencer. Gutierrez overcomes his own shortcomings as a lonely, depressed alcoholic to bring justice to the children abused by a powerful archbishop, while Pius shares a tender farewell with the mentor who scorned him most of the season for being vindictive and petty. Gutierrez and Pius, both afflicted by profound alienation, become better versions of themselves by season’s end.

The memes were plentiful and the bizarre story flourishes — the kangaroo hopping through the Vatican, the LMFAO-soundtracked changing montage — are truly bizarre, but ultimately "The Young Pope" proved itself to be a series with a lot of heart. God bless this show.

11. "The Americans,""Dyatkovo" (Season 5, Episode 11)

"The Americans," the spy drama critics will harass you about incessantly for not watching, underwhelmed in a fifth season that was exceptionally sluggish considering this series will be heading into its final stretch in 2018. But it still produced powerful, resonant and incredibly depressing moments, reaching its apex in “Dyatkovo.” The Jennings are tasked with assassinating a Russian war criminal (just another day at the office), but the target reveals a far more disturbing truth behind her crimes — that she was liquored up, threatened and assaulted by soldiers and forced to shoot her countrymen in order to stay alive herself. After hearing her explanation, and once her innocent husband returns home in the middle of the assassination attempt, Philip hits a wall and refuses to pull the trigger. Elizabeth eventually does on both, but with a rare instance of anguish.

It’s a devastating turning point for the Jennings, who enter season six with dwindling faith for their cause. This past season may have been a bit of a letdown, but make no mistake: "The Americans" is still one of TV’s best dramas.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones." 

"Game of Thrones" costume designer Michele Clapton makes it her mission to tell characters' stories through their clothing.

"The costumes for me are narrative and you should be able to look at them and understand where [the characters] are mentally in their journey," Clapton said in a recent interview with INSIDER.

We've chosen seven characters to break down season-by-season and see how their shifting storylines are reflected in their outfits. This analysis focuses on their arcs through season six, since we don't yet know for certain where season seven will take them.

Keep reading to learn more.

Daenerys has come full circle in both her storyline and outfits.

Season 1

Daenerys found her way on season one as Khal Drogo's khaleesi. Her leather tops paired with horsehair skirts and pants were both queenly and down-to-earth.

Season 2

After a rough period in the Red Waste, and the loss of her Dothraki husband, Daenerys found solace in Qarth. There, she wore ornate gold jewelry and expensive silks, along with a fluffy crimped hairstyle we'd never see again. 

Season 3

Daenerys' conqueror side began to take hold on season three. She returns to Dothraki-esque silhouettes but with a rich blue coloring. Her new Mother of Dragons identity is reflected in the scaled pattern embroidered on her dress. 

Season 4

Meereen was Daenerys' new home for season four, and there she began slowly transitioning from her iconic blue dress and into the clean styling of a queen. No longer spending time outdoors with the Dothraki or her armies, she began to incorporate more white into her wardrobe.

Season 5

By season five, Daenerys was full-blown royalty in her blindingly white gowns. She donned silver dragon necklaces and ruled from the top of a pyramid. All sense of her fierce Dothraki days was gone — she was both literally and figuratively above getting her hands dirty.

Season 6

That all changed on season six. She fled the fighting pits of Meereen on the back of Drogon, dirtying her white dress in the process. Daenerys literally went back to her roots as she found herself among Dothraki once again. She wore brown leather again, with her top a similar silhouette to the blue dress. 

Sansa Stark's embroidered dresses have reflected her surroundings.

Season 1

Sansa is known for her sewing abilities. She often wore dresses of her own creation on season one, all of which reflected her desire to be a proper southern lady with lighter fabrics and rich detail. 

Season 2

By this season, Sansa's family was torn from her and she was a captive in King's Landing. She fell into a forced role of "good little lady." Her clothing became more similar to the people surrounding her in the capital, and her hairstyle began to mimic Cersei Lannister's braided look. 

Season 3

Trapped in Cersei's plots, Sansa began wearing more light red on season three — the color of House Lannister. Her hairstyles grew increasingly "southern," and she stopped wearing it down. 

Season 4

Littlefinger helped Sansa escape King's Landing early on season four. She wore a purple patterned dress for much of this season — a reflection of the "Purple Wedding" (Joffrey's death scene) and of her move away from the lighter colors of the capital. 

Season 5

Though Sansa dressed in a black outfit while disguised as Alayne for the first part of season five, her real iconic outfit from this time was this northern-style dress and cloak. Sansa shielded herself underneath the dramatic hood while escaping from Ramsay Bolton.

Season 6

Sansa is now in a position of power for the first time in the series. She's sewn a new blue dress with a Stark direwolf embroidered in the front, and she keeps warm under a regal cloak. This is the true Sansa Stark — Lady of Winterfell.

Jon Snow was never meant to wear black for life.

Season 1

Jon began the series wearing muted northern colors (and Stark colors) — browns, greys, and blues. He was dressed in the fine leather of a highborn boy, ready to become a man of the Night's Watch.

Season 2

After formally joining ranks with the Night's Watch, Jon was dressed in black from head to toe. His thick black fur coat accompanied Jon as he ventured north beyond the wall.

Season 3

Jon was captured by the wildlings at the end of season two, and was forced to feign allegiance with them. That meant shedding his black cloak and wearing the warm brown furs traditionally found on the free folk.

Season 4

But he never truly betrayed the Night's Watch. By season four he was back among them, wearing black alongside his brothers. Jon's face bears more scarring by this season, reflective of his seasoning as a leader and warrior. 

Season 5

At the beginning of season five, Jon is elected to be Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He remains in black, but his larger cloak signifies him as the man in charge. Unfortunately, he's killed for showing compassion for the free folk he once lived among. 

Season 6

After his resurrection, Jon decides his oath to the Night's Watch has been fulfilled. He immediately ditches the black cloak, and instead returns to the Stark clothing colors of brown and blue. His hairstyle (a pulled back bun) is also reminiscent of Ned Stark. 

Sure, a trip to Paris or Rome is nice — but sometimes the best vacations come from traveling off the beaten path.

This summer, beat the crowds by heading to lesser-known destinations that are just as stunning as their more popular counterparts.

Here are 17 alternatives to major tourist cities.

Instead of Venice, Italy, visit Colmar, France

Forget taking an overpriced gondola ride in Venice and visit one of the Most Romantic Cities in Europe, Colmar. This French town is only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the border of Germany, and looks like something straight out of a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. Stroll down the cobblestone streets that are lined with colorful, half-timbered houses, or take a romantic boat tour down "Petite Venise" (little Venice), the town's winding river. Known as the "Alsatian wine capital" along France's famous Alsace wine route, you should make sure to explore one of the many vineyards in the area, and clink glasses over some of the best wine you've ever tasted.

Instead of Stockholm, visit Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is a less crowded and cheaper alternative to Stockholm that is nonetheless bursting with charm, thanks to picturesque wooden houses and cobblestone streets. For a more current experience, visitors can also check out Långgatorna, a modern street known as a bustling "Little London." The town also has a theme park called Lisebergs Nojespark where visitors can ride rides or explore its landscaped sculpture garden. 

Instead of Vail, visit Telluride, Colorado

This quirky former mining town rivals Aspen and Vail in terms of skiing terrain, but prides itself in being far less pretentious. There's plenty to do in the summer as well, from hiking and biking to fly fishing. A free, year-round gondola takes visitors from Telluride to Mountain Village.

The governor of Wisconsin wants all his instagram critics to kick back with a cold beer.

After Wired published an article Thursday criticizing Republican governor Scott Walker for having a boring Instagram feed, Walker decided to hit back at the "liberal media"— by posting a photo of a beer.

"For those in the liberal media who don't like my Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, I have a simple response,"wrote Walker in an Instagram post Thursday. "Can I get you a beer?"

The response, which Walker followed by a barrage of tweets and Instagram posts of other Wisconsin food items and scenes, earned the Republican governor some support — along with a fair dose of ridicule — on social media.

SEE ALSO: Maine governor suggests he makes up stories to mislead the 'vile', 'useless' media

Lashing out at the "liberal media," Walker urged his critics to relax by sipping on a cold beer.

 Source: Instagram 

The article that appears to have prompted Walker's response criticized the governor for posting the "least appealing" aspect of any activity he is doing.

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/795282055428997120
Got a quick work out in this morning at Planet Fitness. pic.twitter.com/Apno5AOO0i

Source: Wired and Twitter

It's not the first time Walker's postings have drawn ridicule. He drew criticism in November for his repetitive posts of ham and cheese sandwich lunches and The Daily Caller called out Walker's "gross" food Instagram posts in 2015.

Source: The Guardian, The Daily Caller, New York Magazine